Spanish family trades city for self-sufficient forest home

Sandra and José, along with their four children, abandoned a comfortable urban life in Girona, Spain, to live in a self-sufficient forest home. The family now resides in an 80-square-meter stone and wood house, generating solar power, collecting rainwater, and starting a small farm. They prioritize quality over quantity, spending most of their budget on food and having only one pair of shoes per season per child.

The family's journey

Sandra and José once ran a successful business and owned a modern smart home, but felt a deep sense of emptiness. A three-day mountain retreat made them realize they needed far less than they thought. They first moved to a 40-square-meter cortijo inherited by Sandra's grandmother in Jaén, which had no electricity, running water, or internet. After three years, they rebuilt and settled in their current home. José notes, "Nosotros no buscamos la autosuficiencia, ella nos encontró a nosotros" (We did not seek self-sufficiency, it found us) Source: elespanol.

Education and work

Sandra and José homeschool their children, adapting learning to family needs. Both work remotely: José as a programmer and Sandra as a freelancer, using artificial intelligence to automate tasks and gain time with their children. They acknowledge the irony of relying on technology while living in nature but consider it a necessary tool Source: abces.

Daily practices

• The family collects rainwater and hauls it to the house for filtering.
• Solar panels provide electricity, though storms have damaged them in the past.
• They grow food and plan to expand with goats, chickens, and rabbits.
• Bedrooms have no blue light at night; all sleep on futons made of natural materials to improve rest Source: clarin.

The couple actively shares their lifestyle on social media under the handles Capitán Salvaje and Crianza Salvaje, aiming to inspire others to consider alternative ways of living.